HIS STORY THROUGH MY STORY

Acts 17:16-34

Paul’s Story

Miracles Beatings Crowds StoningAnger Imprisonment Whipped TeachingCommenting Debating Friendship JoyLove Pain Loss Life Hope Faith

Paul in Athens

Observation; he used his eyes and looked (16, 21)

He saw…

Idols People Temples HopeLonging Need Confusion

What do we see?

Longing for community IdolsPain Joy Love Quest for celebrity RichesPoverty Selfishness Charity ConfusionObsession Globalisation Pleasure SuperficialityLack of a coherent world view

Paul in Athens

Engagement; he used his mouth (17, 22ff)

He communicated…

Reasoned Debated Disputed PreachedSpoke Shared Engaged Defended

Tom’s Story

Aged 15 St Alban’s High School Year 11Christian Reads a lot Leads the CUHas a messy room Enjoys D of E Argumentative Likes to laugh Eats a LOT

What do we say?

Rules of engagement

Truth WordsActions Alone Together ReasonsWonder Questions History His Story

Paul in Athens

Relevance; he used their story and his story to explore God’s story (22, 23, 24-31)

Asking questions Answering questions NowFuture Hope Past Experience God as CreatorGod as Sustainer God as Ruler God as Father God as Judge

What makes us relevant?

People can dispute arguments for and against the existence of God ‘til the cows come home, but they can’t dispute your experience in the same way

(BRF Day by Day With God…last Thursday)

Use your story to share God’s story

Ups Downs Questions Events Thoughts Promises CommentsDreams Hopes Disappointments WinsReality Experience

Give others the option to be part of His Story too

(33,34)